Apparatus for making stiffeners for boots and shoes



y 1929- p. B. MACDONALD 1.715.29

TUS FOR MAKING STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES Filed June 8, 1926 5 eeeees-Sheet 1 6 H MIMI I C d I b I mm F/G.2. III/(26%? I flmo 7w/M4 May 28,1929. B MACDONALD 1,715,299

APPARATUS FOR MAKING STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES Filed June 8, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet 2 D. B. MACDONALD 1.715.299

APPARATUS FOR MAKING STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES May 28, 1929.

5 Sheets-Sheet I 3 Filed June 8, 1926 May 28, 1929. D, B, MACDONALD1,715,299

' APPARATUS FOR MAKING STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES Filed June 8, 19265 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 28, 1929, D. B. MACDONALD APPARATUS FOR MAKINGSTIFFENERS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES Filed June 8, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented May 28, 1929. 1,715,299

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID BAIRD MACDONALD, F LEICESTER, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING STIFFENERS FOB. BOOTS AND SHOES.

Application filed June 8, 1926, Serial No. 114,434, and in Great BritainJune 18, 1925.

This invention concerns apparatus for makpreferably consist ofreticulated textile maing boot and shoe stiifeners of the kind comterialbut for some classes of work -non-re- 55 v posed of a number of layersof material comticulated-m'aterial such as swansdown may be bined with astiffening agent and is applicable used. One of the reticulated layerse.g. the to those which require-to be softened by heat. layer'c may beomitted. Or there may be prior to usev and also to those which do notmore than two intermediate layers. Accordrequire such preliminarysoftening. ing to the inventionthe intermediate layer .-.60

' This invention chiefly relates to apparatus at (or one at least of theintermediate'layers for making pufi's or stiffeners for insertionwhereanumber are used) is made larger than 1 into the toe parts but itmay be applied to the remainin layers and the stiffening agentstiffeners for insertion into other parts of is applied thereto over arestricted area boots and shoes. equivalent to the area of the outerlayers so 65 The object of the invention is to produce that a marginalportion of the stiffener is left an improved stiffener of the kindreferred to thin and pliant. Thus as represented in Fig- 1 soconstructed that one or more of its edges ure 1 a stiffener having arear edge e constiis or are reduced in thickness to obviate the tuted byan untreated portion of the layer (7 formation of a ridge on the outsideof the may be produced, or, as shown in Figure 2, 70 upper. a stiffenerwherein the layer 03 projects all This is achieved by making thestiffener so round to provide" an untreated marginal 2 that the edge ofone or more of the composite portion f may be formed.

layers projectsbeyond the other or others and For making the improvedstifi'eners the deis not treated with the stiffening agent. vicerepresented in Figures 53 and 4 may be '75 The-invention includesapparatus for makused comprising a pair of plates land 2, the ing theimproved stiffeners as will be hereinplate 1 forming a guard beingmovable relafter described. i atively to the other so that the layer tobe In describing the invention reference will treated with thestiffening agent may be be made to the accompanying. drawings placed andheld between them: The guard 80 ,wherein':- plate 1, has an opening 3therein correspond- Figure 1 is a face view of one form of the ing inshape to the outer layers a and b of the improved stiffener the viewshowing the comstiflener, connected to a handle 4 by a hinge positelayers partly separated. 5 the plate 2 being fixed to this handle. The

' Figure 2 is a similar view of another form fixed plate 2 may have itsfront and side edges of the improved stiffener. turned up to form arecess for the location of Figure .3 is a perspective view of a devicethe layer (1 (or layers of more than one) to be 35 used for carrying outthe method of manufactreated when thehinged plate 1 is raised-as tureherein to be described. represented by the dot and dash lines in F igFigure 4 is a plan of the device shown in ure 3. Other means may beprovided to po- Figure-3. sition the layer on the plate 2. The openingFigure 5 is a perspective view of an appa- 3 may be so located that whenthe/layer is in 40 ratus which may be used in association with positionbetween the plates a margin or strip the said device. v along the rearthereof, which subsequently Figure 6isafront elevation, and ,constitutesthe rear edge e of the stiffener -Figure 7 is a part sectional sideelevation shown in Figure 1, is covered by the guard of a power-actuatedapparatus which may be plate 1-, leaving the remainder practicallyemployed according to the invention. wholly exposed as represented inFigure 4 Figures 4 to 7 are drawn to a smaller scale where the outlineof the layer is,shown by than Figures 1 to 3. dotted lines. 'When thestiffening agent is to Referring to the drawings, the stiffeners beapplied by means of rollers the'plate 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2comprises respecmay be allowed to slightly overlap the layer tivelyouter layers a and b and inner layers at the front and thus preventdisplacement of c and (Z. The layers a may consist of textile the layerat this'point, so that in the finished fabric such as white croydon andthe layers stiffener the said layer will project shghtly b may consistof paper. The inner layers at the front as represented in* Figural. Ol 1the other hand the plate need not overlap as aforesaid so that the frontedges of the various layers in the stiffener will correspond. For makingthe stiffener shown in Figure 2 the opening in the plate 1. is sodisposed that the edge thereof overlaps the layer to the same extent allround so that the centre part is exposed to the stiffening agent thusleaving the untreated margin \Vhen the layer is held between the platesof the device the stiffening agent may be applied to the part exposed bythe opening by means of a brush, knife or equivalent after which thesmaller covering layers and a (or the layer a only if the layer 0 isomitted) may be applied and smoothed down, the guard plate serving as aguide for the added layer (or layers). The guard plate is then raised,the layer (1 with its attached layers (or layer) is turned over and theoperation repeated to apply the other covering layer b. When the layer dis of reticulated mate- .rial it may not be necessary to apply thestifl'eningagent to both sides, since when applied to one side of thelayer said agent may penetrate to the other side. When the inner layeris of non-reticulated material it will be necessary to treat both sides.In this case, or when instead of applying the stifiening agent with abrush or equivalent the device containing the layer to be treated ispassed between rollers or dipped in the stiffening agent the plate 2 maybe formed with an opening similar to the opening 3 so that both sides ofthe layer 7 may be treated at once and the covering layers afterwardsapplied first on one side and then on the other. When both plates havean opening that in one may be smaller than that in the other, thecovering layers subsequently applied being of correspondingly differentsizes so that a stiffener of graduated thickness may be produced. WVhenthe stiffener includes an inner reticulated "layer 0 smaller than thelayer d the latter may have the former attached to it by a smallerquantity of the stiffening agent before insering the holder.

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I may use a simpler form of device (not shown) consisting of a guardstencil plate cut from sheet material. The layer to be treated is laidupon a bench or table and theguard is placed on the layer to cover theportions not requiring treatment leaving exposed the area 'which is toreceive the stiffening medium which is then applied by a brush or othermeans after which the smaller covering layers for the stiffener areplaced in position upon the treated area and smoothed down,

the guard serving as a guide for the added layer. The guard is thenremoved, the treated layer with the attached smaller layers is turnedover, the guard is applied to the face thus brought uppermost, and theoperation is repeated to treat this side of the article.

The stencil guard may be used by hand in the manner described, or it maybe hingedly arranged. on a bed, block, or table so that it can be raisedfor insertion and removal of the stiffener layers. 'hen the guard ishinged to a block or bed the latter may be shaped or providedwith guidesto enable the large layer or layers to be placed in correct positionthereon so that when the guard is closed down upon the said layer orlayers it will expose the desired area for reception of the stiffeningagent and protect by covering the marginal portion which is to remainuntreated.

The holder device (Figures 3 and 4) may be used with an apparatuscomprising a tank 8 (Figure for thestitl'ening agent provided in frontwith a slot 9 through which the holder is pushed to carry the layertherein into said agent and which is normally closed by a shutter 10slidable between guides 11 and held in contact with a stop plate 12 bysprings 13. The sliding shutter is connected for example by apair oflinks lt, a lever 15 fulcrumed' on the tank and a link 16 to a treadleor equivalent (not shown) lVhen the treadleis depressed the shutter 10is raised to uncover the slot so that the holder may be pushed into thetank and then withdrawn thereby coating the exposed part of the layerwith the stiffening agent. Guides 17 may be provided on the stop plate12 to facilitate the insertion of the holder into the slot. A holderconsisting of a slide operable by hand or mechanically may be combinedwith the apparatus for carrying the layer into and out of the tank.

The apparatus shown in Figures 6 and 7 comprises a tank 18 of closedform having a filling orifice furnished with a cover, and having on thefront thereof a slide comprising two plates 19 and 20 between which thelayer or components which is or are to be treated or in'lpregnated withthe stiffening agent is or are held. The plates 19 or each plate isprovided with a suitable opening the size and shape of which determinesthe area which is to receive the stiffening agent. The slide is carriedby a plate 21 mounted on a bracket 22 attached to another slide 23movable in a guideway 2% fixed on one side of the tank and operatedthrough the medium of a connecting rod 25, by a crank disc 26 fast on ashaft 27. This shaft is carried by a bearing 28 fixed on the bed plate29 of the apparatus and is driven as hereinafter described. The slide isthus reciprocated to carry the layer or components into and out of thetank through a slot 30 suitably situated Ill) lur

for the purpose and having associated with.

it a displaceable shutter 31. The shutter is controlled by a laminatedspring 32 arranged between abutment-s 33 and 34 on the tank and shutterrespectively. On the outward movethe outer position its forward endextends through the slot 30 and between-the rollers, the shutter 31pressing down upon the slide to prevent escape of the stifiening agent.

The lower plate 20 is made longer than the top plate. 19 (which ispivoted on the plate 20 by a hinge 38) and has a further plate 39fixedly attached to it in front of the hinged plate.

The hinged plate 19 can "be raised by a thumb piece 40 for insertion andremoval of the layer or components when the slide is in the outerposition shown and it may or may not be spring controlled. Instead ofoperation by hand the hinged plate 19 may be raised mechanically such asby an abutment when the slide moves outwards. alternatively, the slidemay move right out of the tank and forcibly open the shutter upon itsinward stroke, in which case the lower edge of the shutter or theforward edge of the slide or both may be bevelled to facilitate theforcible lifting of the shutter when the slide moves inwards. Or theshutter may be opened and closed independently by suitable mechanicalmeans. The shutter may be furnished with rollers or small shoes tofacilitate the opening and closing movement and may move between guides41.

The rollers 35and 36 are driven by gear wheels and shafts actuated by aneccentric or equivalent in timed relation with the slide I the latteroperating with a reciprocating motion while the rollers rotate first inone direction and then in the opposite direction according to themovement of the slidez Conveniently the movements of the parts arederived from a main shaft 42 rotatable bearings 43 on the tank and'fitted with driving means which include a single revolution clutchoperable by a treadle or other member in a manner well known. Thecrankshaft 27 is driven from the main shaft 42 by chain gears 44, 45 and46. An eccentric 47 on said shaft 42 engages rollers 48 on and therebyoscillates a frame 49 pivoted at 49 on the tank. A chain 50 attached atone end to one point on the frame -49 passes over a layers thereto.

spring pressed into contact with the upper oneand is thereby driven.

The method of making the stiffeners by use of the apparatus justdescribed may be the same as that previously described herein the slideserving the same purpose as the hand manipulated device described withreference to Figures 3 and 4.

When the bottom plate 20 of the slide is made without an opening thereticulated inner layer or components of the stifiener and one of theouter layersmay be placed in the slide in company, said outer layerbeing placed under the ot er or others, so that when passed between t' erollers 35 and 36 the reticulated layer or components will be im-'pregnated with the stiffening agent and the various layers unitedsimultaneously. Then following the outward movement of the slide theother outer layer may be applied to the treated layers. In this mannerit is possible by using a top plate 20 of suitable form and suitablypositioning the component layers in the slide to produce a stifl'enerwherein the front edges of the various layers approximately correspond,as represented in Figure -1, while havingan untreated marginal portionall round.

One or each plate of the slide may be removable and interchangeable withothers havingdifferent openings for making different stifieners and thelower plate may have marks, guides or other means to facilitate thecorrect positioning of the layer or components thereon.

The tanks shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, may be jacketed for heating bysteam or hot water.

Quick drying stilfeners of thekind herein described may be produced bypreliminary treatment of one or more of the composite layers by applyingthe stiffening agent there to as hereinbefore described, but over; asmaller area than that to be covered by the other layer or layers, thenallowing the treated layer or layers to dry or partly dry, andsubsequently treating the same over the larger area and applying theother layer or For carrying out this ethod guards, holders or slides orinterchan eable plates having correspondingly different openings thereinmay be provided.

Stilfeners produced as just described dry no i more quickly than thosehaving their treated layers impregnated at one operation, and as aresult when inserted into boots and shoes enable lasts to be slippedsooner thereby expod iting manufacture;

A stiffener with a thin flexible edge such as herein describediis animprovement upon viate the objection referred to.

The invention concerns principally though not exclusively compositestiffeners of the cold type and wherein the stiffening agent usedconsists of celluloid or the like in solution in a solvent of volatilecharacter.

What I claim then is .1. For use in making stiflencrs of the kind hereinreferred to, a holder device of stencil form comprising a pair of platesto expose for treatment a restricted area of a stifiener layer whenplaced between them, said plates being hingedly connected whereby theymay be separated to receive the layer and closed to hold same, a handleon one plate for manipulation of the device, and guiding means on oneplate to determine the position of the layer to be treated.

2. For use in making stiffcners of the kind herein referred to, a holderdevice of stencil form con'iprising a pair of plates to expose fortreatment a restricted area of a stiffener layer when placed beta-eonthem, said plates being hingedly connected whereby they may be separatedto receive the layer and closed to hold same, a handle on one plate formanipulation of the device a, spring to normally hold the plates closedand a thumb piece on the movable plate for actuation thereof.

3. For use in making stiffener-s of the kind herein referred to,apparatus comprising a tank for the stiffening agent, a holder devicecomprising guard plates between which the stiffener layer can be heldand have a restricted area exposed for treatment said holder devicebeing adapted for insertion into the tank through'a slot therein tocarry the' layer into the stiffening agent, and a shutter to normallyclose the slot in the tank.

4. For use in making stiffeners of the kind herein referred to,apparatus comprising a kind herein referred to, comprising, a tank 5.Apparatus for making stiffener-s of the kind herein referred to,comprising, a tank to contain the stiffening agent a slot therein and aslide having guard plates betweein which a layer of stiffener materialmay be held, said slide being movable through the slot to carry thelayer into and out of the tank. w 6. Apparatus for making stiffener-s ofthe kind herein referred to, comprising a tank to contain the stiffeningagent, a slot there-- in, a shutter covering said slot, and a slidehaving guard plates between which a layer of stiffener material may beheld, said slide being movable through the slot to carify the layer intoand out of the tank, and the shutfor acting as a scraper on the slide toremove surplus stiffening agent from the treated layer.

7. Apparatus for making stiffeners of the kind herein referred to,comprising, a tank' to contain the stiffening agent, a slot therein, aslide having a pair of guard plates one or each of which has a shapedopening to expose a restricted area of a layer of stiffener materialheld between them, one of said plates being movably associated with theother whereby they may be opened for reception of the layer and closedto hold'said layer in position, said slide being movable through theslot so as to carry the layer into and out of the tank for treatment bythe stiffening agent. i

8. Apparatus for making stiffeners of the kind herein referred to,comprisinga tank to contain the stiffening agent, a slot therein, aslide equipped with guard plates for holding a layer of stiffenermaterial and exposing a restricted area thereof, said slide beingmovable through the slot in the tank to carry the layer into and out ofthe stiffening agent, and means to impart reciprocation to the slide.

9. Apparatus for making stiffeners of the HO to contain the stiffeningagent, a slot therein, a slide equipped with guard plates for holding alayer of stiffener material and exposing a restricted area thereof,presser rollers in the tank, the said slide being movable through theslot in the tank to carry the layer into the stiffening agent andbetween the rollers, and means to impart reciprocation to'the slide. 10.,Apparatus for making stiffeners ofthe kind herein referred to,comprising, a tank to contain the stiffening agent, a slot therein, aslide equipped with guard plates for holding a layer'of stiffenermaterial and exposing a restricted area thereof, prcsser rollers in thetank, the said slide being movable through the slot in the tank to carrythe layer info the stiffening agent and between the rollers, means toimpart reciprocation to the slide, and means to drive the presser.rollers first in onedirection and then in the other in timed relationwith the reciprocating movements of the slide. 4

11. Apparatus for making stifleners of the kind herein referred to,comprising, a tank to contain the stiffening agent, a slot therein,

a slide equipped with guard plates for holding a layer of stifienermaterial and exposing a restricted area thereof, a spring controlledshutter covering the slot and acting on the slide, presser rollers inthe tank, the said slide being movable through the slot in the tank tocarry the layer into the stifl'ening agent and between the rollers,means to impart reciprocation to the slide, and means to drive thepresser rollers in timed relation to the regiprocation of the slide.

12. Apparatus for making stifl'eners of the kind herein referred to,comprising a stencil guard plate hinged to a block, bed or table thelatter being shaped or provided with guides to determine the position ofa stiffener layer thereon said stencil plate being adapted when closeddown upon the layer to hold same and expose a restricted area thereoffor reception of the stiffening agent, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

DAVID BAIRD MACDONALD.

